Optometrists pay in New York
In New York, the median pay for optometrists is $77.47 an hour ($161,140 a year). About 2,390 people work in this job there.
That is 18% higher than the U.S. median ($136,570). New York ranks 5th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for optometrists in New York
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $45.89 | $95,460 |
| 25% of workers | $61.49 | $127,900 |
| Half of workers (median) | $77.47 | $161,140 |
| 75% of workers | $84.49 | $175,740 |
| 90% of workers | $97.62 | $203,040 |
Optometrists pay in New York metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $165,640 | 160 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $164,020 | 130 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $161,850 | 90 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $161,030 | 2,580 |
| Rochester | $159,380 | 120 |
| Syracuse | $153,790 | 100 |
New York unemployment rate: 4.3% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for optometrists
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +9.5% over ten years, much faster than average · about 2,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $242,500 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $183,460 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $48,440 |
| Neurologists | $155,990 |
| Dermatologists | $374,010 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $414,290 |
| Chiropractors | $120,950 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $360,050 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.